point-blank

adjective

ˈpȯint-ˈblaŋk How to pronounce point-blank (audio)
Synonyms of point-blanknext
1
a
: marked by no appreciable drop below initial horizontal line of flight
b
: so close to a target that a missile fired will travel in a straight line to the mark
2
: direct, blunt
a point-blank refusal
point-blank adverb

Examples of point-blank in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The victim, who was 18 years old, was shot in the neck at point-blank range, archives said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2026 Knoxville, who was writing an article that led him to test self-defense equipment by using various weapons on himself, fires a revolver at his own chest from point-blank range while wearing a bulletproof vest. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026 Álex Baena put a beautiful 25-yard free kick off the crossbar in stoppage time, and Schlager saved the resulting point-blank chance from Yamal. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 Al-Owais denied a point-blank header from Federico Vinas in the first half, then got his fingertips on an attempt by Manuel Ugarte in the 61st. — CBS News, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for point-blank

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of point-blank was in 1591

Rhymes for point-blank

See All Rhymes for point-blank

Browse Nearby Words

point at infinity
point-blank
point count
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Point-blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point-blank. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

point-blank

adjective
ˈpȯint-ˈblaŋk
1
: aimed at a target from a very short distance away
fired from point-blank range
2
: blunt entry 1 sense 3, direct
a point-blank refusal
point-blank adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on point-blank

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for point-blank

Nglish: Translation of point-blank for Spanish Speakers

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